Rohypnol - The Date Rape Drug

Rohypnol is a fast acting drug, as it only takes thirty minutes to start to work. While it can last up to 18 hours.

     Confusion, dizziness, lace of judgment, and drowsiness is just some of rohypnol's effect to the body. Because drowsiness is one of rohypnol's effects is was once prescribed as sleeping pills, and still are in certain countries. When rohypnol is mixed in with alcohol there is a higher risk of overdose, difficulty breathing, or even death. Rohypnol can also cause amnesia to the user. That's why it is called "the forget drug". Amnesia is when you can't remember your last events or sometimes even what your name is. Like a memory lost. Also seizures may occur for 1-2 weeks while your not on the drug

Rohypnol is also a very addictive drug, that's why people may use it. Also rohypnol makes you embrace your fears so if you were for example scared to jump of a cliff you might fell like doing that well the drug is in affect. So not only can rohypnol's effects be negative but you could get hurt or maybe even be killed while your on the drug. Also rohypnol interferes with your receptors on neurons which the neurotransmitter uses, also known as GABA. This action will than lower your brain activity making you less aware of your actions.

Effects of Rohypnol

Rohypnol is a potent sedative. The physical effects of the drug may be noticeable within twenty to thirty minutes after ingestion. The effects may last for many hours.

Rohypnol may cause drowsiness, confusion, impaired motor skills, dizziness, isorientation, disinhibition, impaired judgment, and reduced levels of consciousness. You may look and act like someone who is drunk. Your speech may be slurred, and you may have difficulty standing or walking. Or, you may be rendered completely unconscious.

It is very dangerous to mix Rohypnol with alcohol or other drugs. The combination can produce extremely low blood pressure, respiratory depression, difficulty breathing, coma, or even death.

One of the most disturbing effects of Rohypnol is that it can cause complete or partial "anterograde" amnesia (absence of memory for the events that occur after it is ingested). This means that you may not be able to remember what was done to you while you were under the influence of the drug, which may have been for a significant period of time. This "amnestic" effect is especially likely when Rohypnol is ingested with alcohol.

What Rohypnol looks like

Rohypnol is most commonly found in tablet form. It may be a small, round, white pill. When slipped into a drink, the pill dissolves and becomes invisible. Or, it may be oval-shaped and green-gray in color. These pills may have a dye in them that can make them more visible in certain drinks. But, you may not be able to see the color in a dark drink (coke or dark beer) or in a dark room.

Rohypnol is usually smuggled into this country in its original packaging &em; foil backed, clear plastic "bubble packs." The pills may be ground up or crushed into a powder. Rohypnol can also be found in liquid form.

How Rohypnol is abused

Across the country, there are reports of people "dosing" other people without their knowledge by dropping whole or crushed Rohypnol tablets into their drinks. When Rohypnol is dissolved in a drink, you usually can't see it, smell it, or taste it. Therefore, if you are "dosed," you probably won't know that you're being drugged. Soft drinks, punch, beer, or other alcoholic beverages can all provide the disguise.

 Street names for Rohypnol

·         Ruffies

·         Roofies

·         Rophies

·         Roches

·         Roaches

·         La Rochas

·         Rope

·         Rib

·         Forget Pill

·         Poor Man's Quaalude

·         Whiteys

·         Trip-and-Fall

·         Mind Erasers

·         Mexican Valium

·         Lunch Money (referring to the drug's low street price)

 Rohypnol® (flunitrazepam) is the brand name of a sleeping pill prescribed for insomnia in Mexico, South America, Europe and Asia. It has NOT been approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the United States but this has not stopped its distribution. Rohypnol belongs to the family of medications called benzodiazepines which includes Valium®, Librium®, and Xanax®.

Rohypnol is being called the "Date Rape Drug" or the "Quaalude of the '90s" because it is the newest drug to be abused by adding it to alcohol. When combined with alcohol, marijuana, cocaine or other drugs, it can provide a rapid and dramatic "high." Even if used by itself, Rohypnol's effects are very similar to intoxication.

Street names for Rohypnol include: Roofies, Roche, Rope, Ruffies, R-2, Roaches, Rib, Forget-me Pill, and Mexican Valium.

What effects does it have on the body?

Rohypnol has been prescribed as an effective sleeping pill and is also used as a sedative and preanesthetic medication in some countries. Rohypnol is tasteless and odorless, and it dissolves easily in carbonated beverages. Rohypnol is usually taken orally, although there are reports that it can be ground up and snorted. The effects of flunitrazepam are fairly long-acting. The sedative and toxic effects of Rohypnol are aggravated by concurrent use of alcohol. The drug’s effects begin within 30 minutes, peak within 2 hours, and may persist for up to 8 hours or more, depending upon the dosage. A single dose of Rohypnol, as small as 1 mg., can produce effects for 8-12 hours after ingestion. When combined with alcohol or other drugs, Rohypnol can impair judgment and motor skills and cause memory loss or blackouts (lasting 8 to 24 hours after ingestion). Loss of inhibition can also occur, with or without alcohol. A person under the influence of Rohypnol can appear to be drunk, display no coordination, bloodshot eyes and slurred speech. Sedation can occur as soon as 20 minutes after ingestion. The drug's effects will peak within 2 hours and may persist for up to 8 hours or more, depending on the dosage. Other adverse effects associated with flunitrazepam include visual disturbances, drowsiness, confusion, decreased blood pressure, memory impairment, gastrointestinal disturbances and urinary retention. When mixed with alcohol, Rohypnol may cause respiratory depression, aspiration or even death. Although classified as a depressant, Rohypnol can rarely induce excitability or aggressive behavior. The drug can cause profound "anterograde amnesia"; that is, individuals may not remember events they experienced while under the effects of the drug. This may be why one of the street names for Rohypnol is "the forget-me pill."

Reports of abuse on many college campuses include stories of women waking up naked in unfamiliar surroundings with no memory of the preceding hours. They may have been sexually assaulted without any memory of what took place. It is important to note that sexual assault or abuse of Rohypnol is not gender biased. Although most cases are reported by females, this drug has the same effect on males. Both males and females have the right to seek treatment after sexual assault and/or suspected Rohypnol abuse.

What does Rohypnol look like?

This drug is shipped in bubble packaging or blister packs that appear very similar to aspirin. They are typically white in color, although counterfeit products have appeared in brownish-pink tint. Rohypnol tablets are single or cross-scored on one side with "ROCHE" and "1" or "2" encircled on the other. When dissolved in alcohol, soft drinks, water or any other liquid the drug is colorless, odorless and tasteless (although some report that it has a slightly bitter taste when mixed with alcohol).

Is there a drug test for Rohypnol?

YES. A urine test can detect the presence of Rohypnol up to 60 hours after ingestion. Rohypnol can be more difficult to detect than similar drugs because it is in low concentrations and is cleared quickly by the body.

Are there other drugs that are being abused like Rohypnol?

YES. People have been "spiking" drinks for decades with legal or illegal substances. Although Rohypnol is getting the most recent attention, reports of GHB (Gamma Hydroxy Butyrate) have also been increasing. GHB is found naturally in the body but the synthetic product created in the 1980's was purchased by body builders (over-the-counter) as an anabolic steroid alternative. When combined with alcohol it results in a reaction similar to Rohypnol. GHB is not approved for use in the US and has been banned from over-the-counter sales by the FDA. It continues to be available in the underground market.

How can I lower my risk?

• Watch your drink.

• Watch out for each other

• Avoid punch bowls.

• Open your own bottle or container - don't accept opened drinks.

• Tell others about Rohypnol. Awareness is a major factor in this or any other kinds of abuse.

• Remember that Rohypnol is odorless, colorless and tasteless and can be added to ANY drink - even water.

If you suspect you or a friend may have ingested Rohypnol, be sure to get tested at the hospital Emergency Room. The drug is detectable for up to 60 hours but cases should and can be reported at any time.

Report any suspected abuse of Rohypnol to proper legal authorities in order to protect yourself and others from harm. It is a federal offense to administer any controlled substance to any person without his/her knowledge, with the intent of committing a violent crime.

Where can I find out more information or get help?

• B.U.P.D:

(617) 353-2121

• Boston University Infirmary:

(617) 353-3578

• Boston University Counseling and Wellness Center:

www.bu.edu/cwc

• Crisis Intervention Counselor

(617) 353-3569

• Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc. (Rohypnol Drug Manufacturer):

1-800-608-6540

• National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information:

1-800-729-6686

• National Institue on Drug Abuse

www.drugabuse.gov/NIDAHome

Drug Enforcement Agency

Public Affairs Section

700 Army Navy Drive

Arlington, Virginia 22202

www.usdoj.gov/dea

This fact sheet was compiled and reprinted with the permission of the Department of Student Health, Office of Health Promotion, University of Virginia; (804) 924-1509.